This is very much a 1970 performance, which carries with it certain connotations. There are segments of beautifully inspired, creative, off the cuff playing mixed with stretches of fast, loud, but fairly standard playing that’s more of a reversion to muscle memory. There’s sound adjustments, tuning, and friendly stage banter, with a cut or two in the recording. The boys sound like they could use some rest from the last few days’ events, but they’re such road warriors that they still throw together a really nice show.
I wouldn’t say it’s as focused or transcendent as other shows from January/February 1970, and as such it’s not as famous as the Hawaii run or Fillmore East classics. I think the night before probably tops it just for having some acoustic material. All that being said, this is still a gritty display of Louisiana Dead, a Bear product that fans of 1970 are sure to enjoy immensely. The highlights for me are the golden, buttery, and wonderfully original jam bridging China Cat Sunflower into I Know You Rider, the nifty guitar solo in Black Peter, the gnarly That’s It for the Other One, and a monstrous Turn on Your Lovelight. Lovelight actually opens up about 40 seconds worth of majestic, trippy Space between 27:40 and 28:20, leaving the Warehouse completely silent in awe before they let out a cheer, spurring the band to rip right back to King Pigpen’s rowdy domain.

On Love Light?

Also, one might note that the mix returns to normal not during Black Peter, but during the last A Capella vocal portion of I Know You Rider, and you can hear the mix shift on the fly and the whole band come in with Phil being way more present.

I thought I heard a non-Jerry, non-Bob guitarist before Lovelight, somewhere during the TIFTOO sequence.

'70 Dead is hard to beat.

In all seriousness, although he's high in the mix, you can definitely hear everything decently. Either it evened out or my ears adjusted.

I was doing a 'this day in Dead history' when I stumbled on this show. There are actually only 2 shows from 02/01 on the archive (78 being the other).

This is definitely a good listen although by no means the best show of the year. Besides the Lovelight, there are no epic jams here. Strong China->Rider, Black Peter and a beautiful High Time. Great sound on Jerry's guitar at the end of Cold Rain. The Drums is a bit long-winded. The massive Lovelight that closes the show has some amazing guitar workouts. Overall this show's a bit ragged but a great listen.

A benefit to defray legal expenses coming 2 days after the bust in New Orleans. Bob is way too high in the mix for the first few songs, but after “Bear’s solo” the mix and the sound become quite good. The show begins with the boys debating the number of beats for Beat it on Down the Line, and they settle on 18. The highlight is The Other One -> Lovelight to close the show. The Other One has a cut so we miss the first verse, and they segue into Lovelight without the 2nd verse or the Cryptical reprise. This pairing might not be quite at the level they rose to 12 days later, but the Lovelight is long (39 min) and has great jamming with Peter Green.

according to the book 'a long strange trip', members of fleetwood mac joined the dead during 'lovelight'. apparently, mick fleetwood was wearing an 'out of order' sign around his neck.

Bobby pretty much dominates the right channel....but phil isn't too low, and jerry is very audible to me {especially on china cat} the drums are low, and are usually mixed louder-----hmm interesting aural presentation bobby!! slice it bobby!!!

This show is, of course, the bust benefit for the previous day's shenanigans. The band certainly plays with conviction (no pun intended), though it's difficult to really tell with such an uneven mix on this SBD.

Bob Weir is mixed far too high on this recording, so much that the drums are inaudible and Jerry & Phil barely audible. Every single note and chord he plays is perfectly clear, as well as every mistake he makes. Of course, this show is highly recommended for fans of Weir's playing, or those that felt he is overshadowed by Jerry & Phil.